San Marino considers Bike Lanes on Del Mar, Lorain Rd but recommendations falls short

A very wide road that could easily fit a protected bike lane: Lorain Rd looking west (at Lorain and Del Mar) (source: BikeSGV)

The City of San Marino is considering striping its first bike lanes during a Special Transportation Commission meeting at the Crowell Public Library on Monday August 19th. 

Specifically, the Commission will examine adding bike lanes to Lorain Rd. and Del Mar Blvd. 

Especially if you are a local resident, your input is needed. These would be the first bike lanes within City limits. Public comment may also be submitted via email to Lucy Garcia, Assistant City Manager, by 5pm on 8/19 (lgarcia@cityofsanmarino.org)

Here is a link to the city agenda for the meeting.

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Update 8/20/13: San Marino Transport Committee recommends Del Mar bike lane and Class III on Lorain. City Council to consider in September. 

This is mixed news. We applaud the recommendation of a bike lane on Del Mar, however the Class III (sharrows) recommendation on Lorain is extremely underwhelming. Sharrow bike routes do not give significant protection to bicyclists and are often ignored by motorists. 

San Marino should look to the example of Pasadena, Long Beach, Santa Monica, other cities in LA and SGV (South Pasadena, Temple City Rosemead Blvd cycletrack, etc) that are considering or who have already implemented protected bike lane infrastructure. We urge San Marino to consider protected bike lanes for both Lorain and Del Mar.

Protected bike lanes make it much safer to ride

Parking Protected Bike Lane -- Long Beach, CA

Sharrows don't adequately protect bicyclists

Sharrows and wide car lanes in Toronto, Canada

Many studies have shown that bicyclists gravitate towards streets protected bike lanes and that protected bike lanes reduce bicycling injuries up to 90%.